How To Raise Pigeons

How to breed pigeons

The number of species of wild pigeons is approximately 500 species, in addition to 175 domestic species, and pigeon breeders seek to obtain multiple benefits by raising pigeons, including benefiting from their meat or feathers, and some raise them for sporting purposes, Here are some tips that can be followed To raise pigeons in the right way, whether at home or in any other space:

Choose the type of pigeons to be raised

The types of pigeons to be raised differ according to the primary purpose of keeping them, as follows:

Bath for meat production

In addition to its delicious taste, pigeons have meat rich in proteins. So some tend to raise it for this purpose, and the following species can be chosen to be raised when it is a squab to take advantage of its meat when it grows up:

White King.
red carnot.
French pigeons.
Giant pigeons.

Bath for display or decoration

There are a large number of types of pigeons in varying shapes and sizes, and the pigeons used in exhibitions were previously bred to take advantage of them for other purposes, but their distinctive appearance changed the path of the goal of breeding them, as they are generally distinguished by their large size and high weight, with a beautiful body shape and structure in an excellent way. Distinctive, in addition to the attractiveness of its large feathers, and examples of this type:

Fan-tailed pigeons

The most important feature that it possesses can be known through its name, which is the broad tail feature.

Jacobean pigeons

This species has fluffy feathers on the sides of its lower neck, and the top of its head is covered like that.

Sports pigeons

The sports pigeon must possess some qualifications that help it perform its tasks such as carrying messages in the past, or even for commercial purposes and celebrations as a wonderful and striking addition, and the homing pigeon is suitable for these purposes, as it is well trained to set off and then return to its cage again no matter how far it is, and the pigeon used For racing purposes, it is recommended to choose a small one.

It is recommended to acquire these types as examples of sports pigeons:

Acrobatic pigeons.
Rotating pigeons.

Breeding pigeons in pairs

Pigeon breeders are advised to always acquire two pairs, that is, a male and a female, and this can be verified by counting the total sum when buying and making sure to have an even number. This style of breeding aims to stimulate reproduction, as pigeons can mate naturally if they find a partner similar to them in characteristics. and behaviors.

It is noteworthy that some types of pigeons do not mate on their own; Therefore, they must be placed in nesting boxes together for a few days, and couples generally live for a period of 12-15 years, and the pigeons produce eggs throughout these years until they die.

Provide a suitable environment for the pigeons

The environment that must be provided for the pigeons varies according to the type of breed chosen, and here are some things that must be paid attention to:

The necessity of providing a roof for the dwelling in which the pigeons will be placed.
Ensure that the dwelling is permanently dry. Because humidity means increased disease rates.
Providing and constantly controlling appropriate temperatures for birds through heating systems, as pigeons cannot withstand severe cold conditions; such as wind, rain and low temperature.
Make sure to pay attention to ventilation, change mattresses, and reduce it during the hot summer months.
Install windbreaks around the pigeons housing when the wind is strong. Choose a safe house of an appropriate size

The dwelling may be an old barn or a room that was previously designated for children’s play, and whatever is advised, a number of things are recommended when choosing a dwelling for the pigeons as follows:

Ensure the laws of the area in which the pigeons will be raised to ensure that they are permitted to do so.
Provide a volume of at least 0.76 m³ for each pair of pigeons, paying attention to the matter of increasing numbers during breeding periods to provide the appropriate space.
Placing the gazelles in a separate role from their parents or with them in the same place, according to the available space.
Providing care and protection for pigeons from external elements or predators, especially for small gazelles, by making the dwelling from strong metal or wooden materials, while making sure to close the doors tightly.
Allocate upper parts for nesting (perches) with the following dimensions: 30.5 cm wide, 2.5 cm deep, and 25 cm high.
Separate aggressive pigeons from others to prevent collisions.
Ensure that the materials from which the dwelling is made do not scratch the pigeons and do not cause any wounds to it, with the need to provide mattresses or liners for the floor of the dwelling for more comfort.
Providing a hut-like building for the free pigeons with one entrance that can be closed when needed, and the dwelling can be the upper part of the chicken coop itself – in the event that the breeder also owns chickens -, so the free pigeons can share the place with the chickens, provided that each of them has a separate entrance.
A high building can be provided for the free bath, which contains a special entrance for each pair that enables them to nest in it, but this building is vulnerable to predators because its many and high openings cannot be closed at the end of each day.
Special nests for eggs of free pigeons must be provided inside the housing with a diameter of not less than 25 cm per pigeon, provided that it is furnished with straw or sawdust, for example.

Providing healthy food for pigeons in appropriate quantities

All kinds of pigeons must be provided with healthy and adequate food, as follows:

cage pigeons:

Grains and seeds are the basis of the diet of caged pigeons , with the need to ensure that the food provided to them is dry, because the high humidity of the food may be a cause of vomiting and diarrhea. Clean and accessible at any time.

These types of food can be provided for cage pigeons:

Wheat.
Maize.
barley.
commercial fodder.
peas.
Peanuts.
legumes.
Various granular materials.

Free pigeons:

Free pigeons feed on a mixture of wheat, barley, and chicken fodder. Their food can also be purchased ready-made from stores. The number of daily meals must not be less than two meals, provided that food containers are placed in places that pests cannot reach. It is worth mentioning that free pigeons Mostly able to find its food while flying out.

Provide clean water in appropriate quantities for the pigeons

Water is one of the basics that must be provided to the cage bath throughout the day, and the basins designated for water must be close to the food containers, and specialized drinking devices can be used to facilitate the task, while taking care to provide periodic care to ensure the cleanliness of the basins and prevent the spread of diseases, Providing water dispensers for the free pigeons as well.

Regularly cleaning the pigeons

The pigeons dwelling must receive special care with regard to general hygiene matters, and this includes cleaning all of the following:

Food and water troughs.
Nesting boxes (perches).
Lofts.
places to fly.

Pigeons take good care of during the breeding period

10 pairs of caged pigeons can produce about 8 gazelles per month, each weighing approximately 500 g, depending on the care provided during the breeding period, as nests and food must be provided to increase the opportunity for pigeons to meet and reproduce naturally, and pairs of free pigeons can be collected in Cage when you want to get specific types of recipes.

Breeders of free pigeons can face the fact that their mating pigeons do not accept categorically, then the method of separation can be followed with a network of wires inside the same cage to prevent each other from reaching each other, and after a few days it will be noticed that they want each other again, and then the barrier can be removed.

Develop a health care plan for the pigeons to prevent it from diseases

Diseases are among the dangers that can kill poultry in general, as their spread is often rapid among the group. Therefore, plans must be followed to protect pigeons from diseases , the most important of which is maintaining general hygiene, and it is also possible to take care of birds receiving the necessary preventive vaccinations against the most common diseases, the most prominent of which are the following:

Smallpox.
Newcastle.
flu.

Finally, it is necessary to detect the presence of injuries as soon as possible in order to follow the quarantine of the infected pigeons to prevent the transmission of infection, and a veterinarian can be consulted in the event that the issue is strange, in addition to that, dead birds must be buried immediately and all places related to them must be disinfected.

Putting bracelets or distinctive signs on the feet of the pigeons

Bracelets or distinguishing marks are used on the feet of free pigeons, especially when participating in races, to prove ownership of their breeders, or when breeding specific breeds in order to know their genetic development, etc., but it must be noted that the pigeons on whose feet these marks are placed must be young before the feet grow to get as big as possible,

Placing bracelets or tags for caged pigeons aims to: Track their growth.